James Seth (bishop)

James Seth (11 February 1913 – 8 April 1975) was an Anglican bishop in Madagascar. He was the first bishop of Tamatave (now Toamasina)^[1] from its creation in 1969 until his death in 1975.

Early life[]

Seth was born posthumously in Madagascar in 1913,^[2] the son of Baba Seth, a teacher,^[3] and Christine Tatelo. Seth was the grandson of Marie Celeste, the first Christian convert of the Anglican mission in Tamatave.^[4] He was educated at mission schools and at a government school.^[5]

Clerical career[]

He trained for ordination at St Paul's Theological College, Antananarivo,^[6] and St Boniface College, Warminster,^[7] which trained ordinands specifically for missionary work. He was ordained deacon in 1942 and priest in 1945.^[8] He served his title at Ampasimanjeva (1942-45) and was then Priest-in-Charge (1945-49), before becoming Priest-in-Charge of Tamatave (1949-61).^[9]

He was consecrated bishop in the chapel at Lambeth Palace in 1961 and was then an assistant bishop in what was then the Diocese of Madagascar.^[10] At the time of the announcement of his appointment as a bishop, he was Rural Dean of Tamatave.^[11] On the splitting of the Diocese into three dioceses in 1969, he became the inaugural bishop of the Diocese of Tamatave.^[12] He died in 1975,^[13] and was succeeded by Samuel Rafanomezane, Archdeacon of Tamatave.^[14] After his death both the town and diocese of Tamatave were renamed Toamasina.^[15]

Civic honours and legacy[]

Seth remained in post during the 1947 Malagasy Uprising.^[16] He was made an Officer of L’Ordre National de la République Malgache in 1964.^[17]

A school in Toamasina is named after Seth,^[18] as is a street.^[19]

References[]

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